What career option to choose before I can reapply to Mckinsey

Question

I've recently had final rounds with McKinsey for Jr. Associate position, but unfortunately didn't get the offer. I will reapply after the cooling period, but I am considering the options that I have in the interim:

1) Continue working in an international corporation, where I will be promoted to a Sr Manager position soon -> I will have a much bigger scope than now, possibly will get experience managing others + get some excellent training opportunities

2) Go into a local consulting company that positions itself an MBB heir after they left -> I will be coming in as an SBA, and I am not sure that this local company is well known in consulting circles outside of this country, but it will give me consulting experience, which could be useful when I go to Mck again.

What do you think would be more beneficial in terms of my career, keeping in mind my goal of getting into MBB?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

sad to hear that the final round didn't pan out this time.

Given that you already got invited to the McK recruiting process with your current company on your CV, I believe it will work again if you can showcase a promotion an a scope expansion by next time you apply to McK. Pivoting to a boutique consulting firm now will only grant you a year of consulting experience at best which McK won't view as that valuable - you'd still be considered entry level consultant with that.

I'd say whatever you do, wait at least until you got the Sr. Manager promotion before you switch should you switch.

Best of luck

Answer 2

Hi there,

Both paths can help, but here’s the trade-off:

Option 1 – Sr. Manager in international corporation
Stronger brand, clear promotion, leadership and team management experience. MBB values progression in reputable firms. Less direct consulting exposure, but you can highlight strategic projects to show transferable skills.

Option 2 – Local consulting firm
Gives you direct consulting experience, but if the brand isn’t well known, it may carry less weight outside your market. Useful only if you’ll do high-level strategy work and get strong references.

Overall, if the promotion is certain and the company is well-branded, go with Option 1. It gives you a solid leadership story for McKinsey. Option 2 works only if the firm’s projects are truly strategy-focused.

Best,

Evelina

Answer 3

Hi,

Sorry to hear the McKinsey offer didn’t work out this time.

I’ve seen both routes work (corporate to MBB as well as boutique consulting to MBB), so you’re in a strong position with two solid options ahead of you.

Ultimately, consulting firms value both experience and brand. While the boutique would help you build a consulting toolkit, the international corporate role plus a promotion may carry more weight in terms of reputation and leadership progression.

Happy to chat more if helpful!

Best,
Lukas

Answer 4

Hey there :)

Both paths can help you reapply successfully, but in different ways. If you stay in the corporation and move into a Sr Manager role, you’ll show progression, leadership, and people management – all things McKinsey values highly, especially if you get promoted quickly. It also avoids the risk of being tied to a less recognized brand. If you join the local consulting firm, you’ll get direct consulting experience, which can make your reapplication story more natural (“I’ve already proven myself in consulting”), but the brand may not carry weight outside your country.

If your promotion is solid and the role gives you scope to lead, I’d lean toward staying in the corporation, McKinsey hires a lot of strong industry leaders with clear upward trajectories. You can always highlight strategic projects you led to frame it like consulting experience.

If you feel your current role won’t give you that exposure, then the consulting option could be a stronger bridge. Both can work, the key is to show growth, leadership, and problem-solving impact.

best,
Alessa :)

Answer 5

Hi there,

I'd agree with the suggestion that, if you are sure you will get promoted soon, wait till you get the promotion, then you can move to the local consulting firm before reapplying again.

Cheers,

Emily

Answer 6

Both can work. But it seems that you are in a company where your good work is being recognized and you are getting promoted. If you are happy and successful where you are... stay for longer.